
The coroner has identified the 60-year-old Waukegan man killed in a hit-and-run Thursday evening and a North Chicago man has been charged in connection with his death, police said.
Chance D. Presley, 34, of North Chicago, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving death, Waukegan Police Chief Wayne Walles announced Monday morning.
The Waukegan Fire Department and Waukegan Police Department responded around 10:45 p.m. Thursday to 8th Street and Jackson Street for a report of a person struck by a vehicle.
Police officers found Vere Joel Day, 60, of Waukegan, who had been riding his bicycle, laying in the street after being hit by a car, Lake County Coroner Dr. Howard Cooper said.
Paramedics pronounced Day dead at the scene, according to police and Cooper, who said that the man died from blunt force injuries caused by a vehicle.
The Waukegan Police Department’s Traffic Division was called to investigate the incident and officers later located the suspected offending vehicle, a silver 2006 Cadillac SUV.
Investigators believe that Day was riding his bicycle on Jackson Street at 8th Street when he was struck by the suspect vehicle, believed to be driven by Presley, while it was traveling southbound on Jackson Street.
“We have been in close contact with Mr. Day’s family and our deepest condolences go out to them during this difficult time. This is truly a tragedy,” Cooper said.
Presley was also wanted on failure to appear warrants relating to domestic battery, drug and other charges. He remains held in the Lake County Jail on a $750,000 bond.
Presley, who was appointed a public defender, is scheduled to appear in court again on October 15.